Diamondback
Rattlesnakes - Largest North American Venomous Reptile

Diamondback Rattlesnakes are
the largest of all North American Venomous Reptiles and
is in the family Crotalidae.
These impressive
snakes
are not only deadly, but incredibly beautiful as
well. The
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus
adamanteus)
found primarily in Florida, Louisiana and N. Carolina,
in my opinion is one of the most stunning of any
rattlesnake species. Unlike its counterpart the
Western Diamondback (Crotalus atrox) at
home in the arid Southwestern deserts; the
Eastern Diamondback prefers Florida’s high
humidity and Palmetto Palm Tree covered flatwoods.
This magnificently colored venomous snake has even
been documented swimming in salt water down in
the Florida Keys. CLICK HERE
TO SEE ANIMAL WEBCAMS

Baby Diamondback Rattlesnakes are born
deadly and measure roughly 14 inches long give or take.
As
they grow so
do their incredibly deadly fangs! Snake
fangs are
nature’s
answer to the hypodermic needle, and the Diamondback
Rattlesnake has been known to possess fangs in
excess of over an
inch!
After
looking at Pictures of Rattlesnakes,
particularly the Eastern Diamondback, you will
be blown away by their diversity and beauty. Although
extremely
deadly, these animals serve multiple valuable functions
and deserve our protection. Rattlesnake Round Ups
have decimated some species of endangered rattlesnakes,
particularly the Western species.

Rattlesnake venom varies in toxicity among the numerous
species, but is primarily Cytotoxic, frequently
referred to as Hemotoxic Venom. Snake
venom is typically broken down into two categories, Hemotoxic
Snake Venom and
Neurotoxic Venom. Hemotoxic venom primarily
attacks the blood by preventing coagulation at
the same time
aggressively destroying its victim’s blood
vessels. Neurotoxic Snake Venom acts in a completely
different manner. This venom goes after the nervous
system, causing massive respiratory malfunctions,
heart failure and even paralysis. These symptoms
are also
normally accompanied
by blurred vision, dry mouth, a metal taste and
dizziness. One should note, that although science
describes two
types of snake venoms (Hemotoxic and Nerotoxic),
most venomous snakes posses a combination of both
in different
proportions and toxicity.

While on the subject of rattlesnake venom, I feel
it is important to discuss their fangs in greater
detail.
As mentioned earlier, snake fangs are Mother Nature’s
answer to the hypodermic needle. In fact, I am
not certain, but I believe that the original inventors
of the hypodermic needle used a snake fang as a
model.
Like the hypodermic needle, snake fangs have a
hollow cavity running down the majority of its
length. Venom
from the Venom Gland then enters the snake’s
fang through the Venom Duct and travels down the
hollow canal before it is pumped into the snakes
prey or enemy
from the incredibly sharp, pointed fang tip orifices.
The size of these orifices or openings in the fangs
has a great impact on the degree of deadliness
a venomous snake possess. The size of the snakes
venom gland,
the venom toxicity and the size of the fangs opening
are all factors that separate deadliness among
the different species of poisonous snakes. For
example,
the Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) has
one of the most potent and deadly venom of any
poisonous
snake drop per drop. The only problem with that
is that the
snake
has very small venom glands, and small rear fangs
with tiny fang orifices. This basically means that
this
snake cannot deliver large amounts of its highly
toxic venom; but it also has to bite, and stay
attached longer
to
insure a full envenomation. In some cases,
Coral Snake envenomation has been avoided because
the victim pulled the attached snake off before
envenomation
took
place. Now compare this to the highly neurotoxic
and hemotoxic venom of the Gaboon Viper (Bitis
gabonica).
This deadly African snake has the claim to fame
of having not only the largest fangs of any snake
(over
2.5 inches), but also the largest fang orifices
as well as huge venom glands. This is one venomous
snake bite to definitely avoid! Not only is the
Gaboon Viper’s
venom extremely toxic, it also pumps in tremendous
amounts of it!

Rattlesnake bites as well as other poisonous
snake
bites can be easily
avoided if the animal is respected and only
observed and appreciated from afar. Most snake
envenomations occur as a result of stupidity, drunkenness
and macho behavior. Like any dangerous animal, poisonous
snakes need and deserve our respect. They are a vital
part of the ecosystem and need protection. Not until
man understands and appreciates the beauty and
importance
of all life, can we fully benefit from Earth’s
marvels and unlock her mysteries.

To learn more about Florida snakes and other wildlife,
David and I strongly encourage you to visit the
Sanctuary’s
Gift Shop. There you will have the
opportunity to purchase “Florida's
Wild Future”,
one of three in our Educational
Video Series. In
this
DVD we actually take you
along on a real RATTLESNAKE HUNT, where we capture
and release
an incredibly beautiful Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake.
The photography is amazing with some great close-ups
of the Snake’s Fangs and beautiful diamond
markings.

As always, David and I want to encourage an interest
in wildlife protection and education. We hope that
the information found in our “Educational
Center” and
throughout the numerous pages of educational content
stimulate you to take an interest. If the words
of David and I are not enough, then by all means,
PLEASE
check out the live Animal Cams placed
strategically in the Sanctuary’s large naturalistic
habitats. Currently, the Tigerhomes Sancturay has
over 30
Web Cams set up in our White
Tiger Habitats, Lemur Habitats,
Lion Habitats and even a new Leopard Cam. Jump
on board and get to know each of the Sanctuary
residents by
name. Tundra our female White
Tiger is waiting.